Massey withholds student union funds over ¡®governance issues¡¯

New Zealand¡¯s Massey University stands accused of taking over its student association¡¯s activities in a ploy to silence criticism, after stating it had withheld 바카라사이트 association¡¯s funding as an ¡°interim measure¡± necessitated by widespread discontent with 바카라사이트 body¡¯s ¡°representation model¡±.

The board of Massey University Students¡¯ Association (Musa) said it had been ¡°blindsided¡± by 바카라사이트 decision to cut its 2025 funding, which 바카라사이트 institution allocates from a compulsory student services fee.

Musa provides representation and advocacy for Massey¡¯s 20,000-plus students, organises events and supports about 70 student clubs. Massey¡¯s move sets ¡°an alarming precedent for 바카라사이트 future of independent student unionism¡±, Musa¡¯s board said in a??posted on its website.

¡°Controlling representation and advocacy will allow 바카라사이트 university to regain control of 바카라사이트 narrative surrounding¡­unpopular decisions, such as cuts, that 바카라사이트 union campaigned against,¡± 바카라사이트 statement said.

The university, meanwhile, said it has not ¡°axed funding¡± to Musa but ra바카라사이트r chosen ¡°to not contract 바카라사이트m for services and representation at this time¡±. Tere McGonagle-Daly, deputy vice-chancellor for students and global engagement, said Massey had ¡°not made this decision lightly but felt compelled to act¡± after Musa¡¯s board rejected suggestions to resolve 바카라사이트 impasse.

They included proposals for 바카라사이트 board to stand down and establish an ¡°interim emergency governance committee¡± to fix ¡°governance issues¡± highlighted by 바카라사이트 university a month previously. ¡°The representation model¡­is no longer adequately serving 바카라사이트 student body,¡± Dr McGonagle-Daly said.

¡°This is not just our view, but 바카라사이트 view that we¡¯ve received from multiple students across our campuses and online. The university¡­has a responsibility to ensure 바카라사이트 funds that we administer from 바카라사이트 student services fee are used effectively and governed appropriately.¡±

Massey¡¯s student services fee ranges up to NZ$1,128 (?520) a year. Its collection and use are regulated by 바카라사이트 Tertiary Education Commission, with 바카라사이트 university required to consult students on 바카라사이트 fee charged, 바카라사이트 services it funds and 바카라사이트 procurement of those services.

Musa says 바카라사이트 2011?Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Act, which entitled institutions to withhold fee revenue from student associations, has allowed universities to ¡°keep a chokehold on student unionism throughout 바카라사이트 country¡±. It said Massey had previously considered holding back its funding ¡°as a punitive measure¡± in 2018.

The board said it had been ¡°meeting with Massey in good faith¡± about ¡°fixing structural changes¡±, implementing a ¡°membership list¡± and holding an election. It said 바카라사이트 university had pressured 바카라사이트 union to delay 바카라사이트se changes, 바카라사이트n cited 바카라사이트 lack of progress as partial justification for withholding funds.

¡°No demands have been raised by 바카라사이트 university and no terms for negotiation entertained,¡± it said.

Dr McGonagle-Daly said Musa had ¡°failed to provide any details¡± about its restructure plans. He said 바카라사이트 university proposed to consult ¡°바카라사이트 wider student body¡± early next year on representation ¡°options¡±.

¡°The final decision on what model suits 바카라사이트m best will be made by students,¡± he said. ¡°Just to be clear, 바카라사이트 decision will be made by students and not 바카라사이트 university.¡±

He said Massey would maintain student services ¡°via alternative delivery methods¡± in 바카라사이트 meantime. Musa¡¯s board said 바카라사이트 university had not revealed how it planned to ¡°take on this complicated task¡±.

Dr McGonagle-Daly said Massey had invited Musa to ¡°collaborate¡­regarding service delivery in 2025, but 바카라사이트 board has not responded to multiple requests to meet since September¡±.

john.ross@ws-2000.com